This report from HealthLeaders Media summarizes findings from a February 2011 survey of 275 health care leaders about accountable care organizations (ACOs). The survey was conducted prior to the release of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services proposed rule for the Medicare Shared Savings Program accountable care organizations.

39% of the respondents reported that they expected their organizations to launch an ACO this year or in 2012. Among those respondents who currently have or are planning to implement an ACO, 72% report that the top driver towards an ACO is “better structure for clinical integration”, with 60% being motivated by “public and private payers shifting risk to providers” and 57% being motivated by “market competition driving integration”. 70% of the respondents are planning to implement a medical home as part of their ACO. 62% of the respondents believe that an ACO can improve health care quality while only 45% believe they will reduce health care costs. The margin of error is +/- 5.9%.